Can You Order Like a Greek Local? Take Our Ultimate Greek Food Culture Quiz!
Think you know Greek food culture? Most tourists stick to gyros and souvlaki, but authentic Greek dining goes much deeper. From knowing when to eat dinner to understanding meze culture, there’s a whole world of traditions that separate locals from visitors. Take our interactive quiz to discover if you can truly order like a Greek local! We’ll test your knowledge on everything from taverna etiquette to regional specialties.
Order Like a Local
Test your knowledge of authentic Greek dining culture
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What time do Greeks typically eat dinner?
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 PM or later
5:00 PM
Correct! Greeks eat dinner very late by international standards – typically around 9:00 PM or even later, especially in summer.
You’re in a Greek taverna. What’s the most authentic way to start your meal?
Order a large main course immediately
Ask for meze (small plates) to share
Request bread and butter
Order dessert first
Correct! Meze culture is central to Greek dining. Greeks love to share small plates of various foods.
What is retsina and when would a Greek typically drink it?
A Greek brandy served after meals
A white wine flavored with pine resin, traditionally enjoyed with meals
A coffee liqueur served with dessert
A grape-based aperitif served before dinner
Correct! Retsina is Greece’s most distinctive wine – a white wine flavored with pine resin that’s deeply rooted in Greek tradition and commonly enjoyed with meals.
If you order a ‘Greek salad’ in Greece, what should you expect?
Lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and feta
Just tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, and feta – no lettuce
Caesar salad with feta cheese
Mixed greens with Greek dressing
Correct! Authentic Greek salad (horiatiki) never contains lettuce!
You’re in a seaside taverna. What’s the most traditional way to order fish?
From a written menu
Go to the kitchen to see and choose the fish yourself
Ask for the chef’s recommendation
Order the most expensive option
Correct! You’re expected to go to the kitchen to personally select your fish.
Which of these is considered a traditional Greek meze that most tourists never try?
Tzatziki and pita bread
Greek olives and feta
Kokoretsi
Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves)
Correct! Kokoretsi is a beloved Greek delicacy that locals enjoy but most tourists avoid.
In a traditional Greek meal, when do you eat cheese?
Only as an appetizer
Throughout the meal mixed with other dishes
After the main course but before dessert
Only for breakfast
Correct! Greeks incorporate cheese throughout the meal in various dishes.
You’re invited to a Greek home for dinner “at 8”. When should you arrive?
Exactly at 8:00 PM
15 minutes early
30 minutes late
1 hour late
Correct! Greek time is flexible – arriving 30 minutes late is expected!
During Orthodox Lent, what would restaurants likely emphasize?
Extra meat dishes
Nistisima (vegan) dishes without dairy or meat
More desserts
International cuisine
Correct! During Orthodox Lent, many emphasize vegan ‘nistisima’ dishes.
Which island is famous for its graviera cheese?
Mykonos
Naxos
Santorini
Paros
Correct! Naxos is renowned for its graviera cheese, considered among the best in Greece.
What does ‘Yamas!’ mean when Greeks raise their glasses?
Good health/Cheers
Welcome
Thank you
Goodbye
Correct! ‘Yamas!’ means ‘to our health’ and is the standard Greek toast.
In summer, what do Greeks eat during the hottest part of the day?
Heavy meat dishes
Light foods like dakos or fresh salads
Fried foods
They don’t eat during hot hours
Correct! Greeks prefer light foods during hot summer days, saving heavier meals for cooler evenings.
Quiz Complete!
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